Harriers refuse to be bogged down

Horrendous under foot conditions at Bexhill on Sunday did not dampen the enthusiasm of Haywards Heath Harriers as they produced some great performances in the Sussex Cross Country Championships.

Leading Harriers lady Izzy Coomber was 12th and a now injury-free Russ Mullen was 15th man in an impressive field. The Harriers men’s team claimed an excellent fifth place to put them ahead of such notable opposition clubs as Lewes, Crawley and Chichester.

Coomber headed up the Harriers ladies who featured Kat Barrett, Linda Tullett and Jenny Denyer.

Harriers club member Jack Chivers reports that only five days into 2014, he had already completed three races where some courses and distances were changed because of the weather.

The Tadworth 10 continued as normal, however, although the tricky and hilly 10-miler on the Epsom Downs was even tougher than usual, taking place in muddy, chilly and windy conditions. Chivers completed in 1.13:48 in a large and high quality field.

Any races going ahead at all has been miraculous, after the Hangover 5 was lost due to waterlogging on New Year’s Day. It is hoped this first West Sussex Fun Run League run at Worthing (a 5 mile climb to the Cissbury Ring and back) can be added back into the Spring race calendar.

Meanwhile junior coach Linda Tullett is delighted to report that five under 11 Harriers boys have been selected to represent Sussex in the Fun in Athletics Sportshall Festival at the Triangle this Sunday. They are Tishon Price, Kit Beale, Christian Wilkinson, Adam Dray and Theo Maton. This is a fine achievement, especially as three of them only joined the club last summer.

Pictured from the left are the successful Harriers men’s team at Bexhill: Josh

Pewter, Phil Payne, Russ Mullen, Tom Mullen and Paul Cousins.

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